Methods for Evaluating Competency to Stand Trial: Reviewing the Literature and Standardizing the Process.

摘要

In a review of forensic articles, the research sheds light on several different methods or protocols to evaluate competence to stand trial. However, it does not hone in on one standardized process. The various methods described are inconsistent with each other and do not align to create one standardized method. An extensive, more in depth review of various competence theories, models and assessments was conducted to formulate and propose a preliminary structure that might serve as a standardized process for evaluating competency. Once the proposed structure was developed, the opinions of eight expert consultants on competence to stand trial evaluations from all five California State Hospitals, as well as the expert opinion of a consultant that has contributed extensively to the field, were ascertained. A content analysis of their feedback is described. Additionally, after the feedback was analyzed, the preliminary structure was revised in order to create a more informed decision tree for further investigation and eventual use in the field. Feedback from the consultants included suggestions for additions, removals, and adjustments, as well as highlighted the juxtaposition of standardization versus flexible assessment protocol.